Are your vegetables pretty?

I'm afraid my end of Summer veg aren't very pretty! In fact, they're very blemished with horrible holes. They're caterpillar infested. Growing organically, I've put quite a bit of effort into slug control this year (night safaris, etc) however this seems to be the year of the caterpillar. They're currently my top pest. Caterpillars aren't fussy either - they are eating on almost everything...

Radishes and lettuces have been attacked by little green caterpillars.

Above: Caterpillars have been found on the leaves of the Dwarf Purple Queen Bean.
Below: Turnip leaves were the first to be attacked (some new leaves have grown since).

They've munched on calendula;
They've munched on kale.

They munch on Spring Cabbage.

They're hard to see on curly leaved kale, but they are there.
I inspect the plants but never seem to get them all. Perhaps my lesson is - use netting!?!

The worse thing about caterpillars is their poo - which I've chose not to display!

Has anyone else had caterpillar problems this year?

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

California Poppy

A great low maintenance plant - California Poppy. I introduced California Poppy to the garden several years ago through scattering seeds around. I always enjoy the surprise of the plants popping up here and there, never knowing where the new seeds will scatter and take root each year. 

The seed pack I've used is called 'California Poppy Summer Sun Mixed' and the pack shows photos of four different flower colours (orange, yellow, red and pink). Only the orange ones have germinated in the past.

Left: California Poppy (Eschscholzia),with Silverdust. The seed pack says:

- easy to grow 
- sow direct outside
- poppy-like flowers with silky petals
- hardy annual

Self seeded plants. 

Above and Below: This year I bought another pack of  'California Poppy Summer Sun Mixed' seeds and scattered them about in early June. I was surprised to see plants appear with pink flowers. At first I thought I had created a new plant, but then I dug out the seed pack and realised they had come from the seed mix.  They are still a lovely surprise and I hope they will continue to self seed!

I'd definitely recommend scattering these seeds about!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Suttgarter Onions from start to finish

Above: Onion sets purchased.

This was my first year growing onion and I'm happy with the results. Every time I grow something new I get a rush of uncertainty at some stage - with the onions the uncertainty came when pulling them up and how to dry and store them. I think I managed and as I didn't grow very many I think I'll have them eaten in a couple of months so the storing isn't too necessary. I really enjoy growing things I haven't grown before. Here's a little record of their start and finish in the garden.

Above: Starting to grow - The onion bulbs in the open growing tray seemed to have better root systems than the ones grown in the individual squares. Photo taken 7 May.

Above: In my new raised beds, I used the  square foot growing idea and onions took up two of my growing areas. They were planted in the bed at the end of May. Photo taken 21 July.

Above: A closer look at the onions in the bed.  Photo taken 29 July.

Above: On reflection I think I pulled the onions a bit too soon, however, the leafy stalks were starting to flop over so  I pulled them up. Photo taken 10 August.

Suttgarter onions pulled and drying. They are about tennis ball size, some smaller. They smell and taste delicious. I think I will definitely grow again next year. I'd like to grow a red onion as well. Any suggestions of an easy to grow red variety let me know!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.